Myanmar Domestic News Updates – Aug 19, 2025 Morning
๐๐ 1. In developing countries, prison administrations are placed under the Ministry of Justice, says Union Minister U Thein Oo
August 18
Radio NUG
Union Minister of Justice of the National Unity Government (NUG), U Thein Oo, has stated that in developing countries, prison administrations are placed under the authority of the Ministry of Justice.
He made these remarks at the Meeting No. (1/2025) between the NUG Ministry of Justice and prison wardens as well as those responsible for inmate management.
The Union Minister said:
“When the Ministry of Justice is genuinely and practically functioning, it must also carry out the requirements of the Union Supreme Court as necessary. The decision was therefore made to place the Prison Department under the Ministry of Justice. This stems from the recognition that Myanmar’s prison system urgently needs reform. In developing countries, prison administrations are placed directly under the Ministry of Justice. In the long run, genuine judicial systems in democratic nations succeed only when operated under the three-pillar structure of the rule of law. The objective is that, once offenders have served their appropriate sentences, they should be able to reintegrate into society as upright citizens. Otherwise, they will remain trapped in a vicious cycle of wrongdoing.”
The meeting continued with responses from relevant officials to advance questions raised by prison wardens and inmate supervisors, followed by general discussions. The Union Minister then approved the meeting’s decisions and future work plans.
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๐๐ 2. Sagaing Federal Unit discusses cooperation on matters relating to the Interim Constitution
August 18
Radio NUG
It has been reported that representatives from the Sagaing Federal Unit Parliament and the Sagaing Region Strike Forces held an online meeting via Zoom at 9:00 AM on August 18, 2025.
The meeting was attended by the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Members of Parliament of the Sagaing Federal Unit, as well as representatives from the Sagaing Region Strike Forces. After opening remarks by the Speaker of the Sagaing Federal Unit Parliament, a responsible member of parliament presented discussions on matters concerning the implementation of future processes under the Interim Constitution of the Sagaing Federal Unit.
Subsequently, officials from the Sagaing Region Strike Forces also engaged in open and frank exchanges regarding areas of cooperation under the Interim Constitution.
The meeting successfully concluded at 10:20 AM.
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๐๐ 3. IEC urges effective international action against military junta’s war crimes following civilian deaths from airstrikes
August 18
Radio NUG
The Karenni Interim Executive Council (IEC) has strongly urged the United Nations, ASEAN, and the international community to take effective action against the grave war crimes being committed by the illegal military junta.
On August 17, 2025, military aircraft carried out indiscriminate airstrikes on civilian areas in Mawchi region, Karenni State, killing 32 civilians and injuring 5 others, with some residents still reported missing.
It was further highlighted that since the beginning of 2025 alone, the terrorist military has conducted approximately 11 aerial bombardments using fighter jets in Mawchi region alone.
The IEC expressed deep condolences and solidarity with the bereaved families of the civilians who lost their lives.
The statement also emphasized that, in order to effectively respond to the junta’s indiscriminate airstrikes and artillery attacks targeting innocent civilians, the people and revolutionary forces must work together in collective resistance efforts.
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๐๐ 4. Junta-organized protests in Southern Shan State intended to undermine ethnic unity, says RCSS
August 18
Radio NUG
The Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS/SSA) announced on August 18 that the protests organized by the military junta in several towns of Southern Shan State—where local residents and non-CDM staff were forcibly mobilized to demonstrate against the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA)—were deliberately designed to destroy ethnic solidarity and sow hatred among different nationalities.
In its statement, the RCSS Information Department said that although the RCSS had previously faced offensives from the TNLA and the SSPP (Shan State Progress Party) in Northern Shan State, the organization had never once pressured or encouraged local residents to stage protests, because its guiding principle was to prioritize ethnic unity above all else.
The statement also made clear that the junta’s so-called protests had nothing whatsoever to do with the RCSS.
According to reports, on August 18, the junta staged simultaneous protests in Mone Nai, Mine Pan, Kho Lam, and Kun Hein towns, and further demonstrations are planned in Laihka, Panglong, Namhsan, Mongmei, and Linkhe on August 19.
In Mone Nai town, it was reported that locals were deceived into attending the demonstration after being told they were required to attend a “meeting,” only to be forced into joining the protest.
The RCSS urged all local ethnic communities to remain vigilant and avoid falling into the junta’s manipulative traps.
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๐๐ 5. Thailand preparing to register undocumented Myanmar migrant workers as part of new measures to address labor shortages
August 18
Radio NUG
Following the return of large numbers of Cambodian workers to their home country, Thailand is preparing new measures to address labor shortages by registering undocumented migrant workers, including those from Myanmar, according to The Nation Thailand, citing remarks by Suwanchai Morakotsriwan, Director-General of the Thai Department of Employment.
Under the instructions of the Thai Minister of Labour, the Department of Employment is preparing five initiatives:
- Recruitment of workers from discharged military personnel, inmates nearing the end of their prison terms, and young people living in refugee camps, to be employed in the manufacturing and agricultural sectors.
- Registration and legalization of undocumented migrant workers from Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, granting them legal work permits.
- Diversification of labor sources by considering the import of workers from Sri Lanka and Nepal to reduce dependence on Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia.
- Recruitment of up to 40,000 Myanmar refugees currently living in refugee camps within Thailand for employment.
- Promotion of automation and technological upgrades in the manufacturing sector to reduce reliance on manual labor.
Director-General Suwanchai stated that priority will be given to registering undocumented Myanmar workers currently in Thailand, as part of the government’s plan to fill urgent labor gaps.
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๐๐ 6. Myawaddy–Mae Sot Friendship Bridge No. 2 temporarily closed amid bribery allegations
August 18
Radio NUG
Reports confirm that the Myawaddy–Mae Sot Friendship Bridge No. 2, located on the Thai–Myanmar border, was temporarily closed from the Myanmar side on the morning of August 18.
This bridge is one of the main trade routes between Thailand and Myanmar. According to a local businessman speaking to KIC, the closure came after complaints were submitted to Naypyitaw alleging that junta authorities had been accepting bribes from Thai cargo trucks—allowing entry only after payments were made.
Currently, due to junta restrictions on the entry of Thai cargo trucks into Myawaddy, about 500 trucks have been stranded for around 20 days on the Thai side of the border.
It is also reported that companies and brokers linked to BGF (Border Guard Force), DKBA (Democratic Karen Buddhist Army), and the Peace Council (PC) armed groups have been negotiating with the Myanmar Customs Department to secure permission for cargo transport across the bridge.
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๐๐ 7. KNDF orders civilians in eastern Biluu Creek to relocate to safe areas within three days
August 18
Radio NUG
Due to the current military situation, the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) has issued a statement urging civilians still remaining on the eastern bank of Biluu Creek to relocate to the western bank or any other safe areas within three days.
The directive, issued by KNDF Battalions 2, 3, 7, 26, and 28, specifies that residents must complete relocation between August 19 and 21, in line with regulations that civilians inside the conflict zone are required to follow.
Residents are also instructed to:
- Carry out any remaining livelihood or work activities only between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM.
- Avoid all movement in the designated restricted area (eastern bank of Biluu Creek) between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM.
- Refrain from activities that could disrupt security operations, including turning on lights at night, making loud noises, shouting, insulting, or moving unnecessarily.
The KNDF warned that effective action will be taken against those who fail to comply with these security measures.
This report was contributed by Radio NUG correspondents Thaki, Khar Shell, and Padeh Poe.
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